Metropolitan.

He has received from the Lodge on former occasions two Past Master ' s Jewels , and a gold Master ' s Jewel from a gentleman in the Isle of Wight , whom he raised to the 3 rd Degree . The service of plate cost aiearly ^ 30 , it having been obtained at trade-rjrice through the kindness of Bro . Tyrrell . St . James Union Lodge ( No . 211 ) .- —This rapidly increasing Lodge met at the Freemasons' Tavern on Tuesday , 9 th December . The W . M ., Bro . J . Gurton , assisted by his officers , raised four Brethren to the 3 rd Degree , passed four to the

2 nd Degree , and initiated one gentleman into the mysteries of the Order in a most able and impressive manner . Bro . Gurton was re-elected W . M ., and Bro . Kelly , Treas . After the Lodge had passed to refreshment , Bro . Cooper replied to the toast of "The Newly Initiated ; " Bro . Mawley , Prudence , to that of " The Visitors "—amongst whom were Bros . Collard , W . M ., ISTo . 209 ; Levison , S . W ., No . 209 ; Norman , J . W ., No . 209 ; Blackburn , S . W ., No . 169 ; Smith , No . 218 ; Kahan , No . 209 ; Thornhill , No . 745 ; Lea , Jackson , No . 201 ; Collins ,

No . 23 ; Harding , No . 745 ; Taylor , No . 201 . Upon the health of the W . M . being drunk , Bro . Gurton remarked upon the pleasure he felt at the Brethren having again elected him to fill the office of W . M ., and assured them that no exertion should be wanting upon his part to make them happy and comfortable , and to increase the honours of the Lodge . A ball was announced for charitable purposes . The pleasures of the evening were greatly increased by the singing of Miss Taylor , accompanied by Bro . Taylor , and also by the amusing comic singing of Bro . Charles Hart , a member of the Lodge .

Lodge of Industry ( No . 219 ) . —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at Dick ' s Coffeediouse ( Bro . Quelch ' s ) , Eleet-street , December 23 rd , when Bros . Scharltner , J . T . Woodstock , and John Wheatley , were very ably and impressively passed to the 2 nd Degree by the W . M ., Bro . Suter , who has just terminated a very agreeable and successful year of office . Bro . Orelli , the S . W . of the Lodge , was unanimously elected by the ballot W . M . for the ensuing year . The Lodge being closed , the Brethren adjourned to a very excellent and

substantial repast . The visitors were Bros . James Taylor , No . 168 ; H . Biseborough Sharman , J . W ., No . 202 ; C . W . Hough , No . 19 ; Charles Lane , No . 168 ; John Lane , No . 66 S ; Bassett Smith , P . M ., No . 857 ; Joseph Smith , Grand Purs . ; and Copin , W . M ., No . 752 . The evening was spent in the most agreeable manner , and the visitors expressed their high admiration of the excellent and impressive manner in which the business of the Lodge was conducted . Bro . Lescomhe was re-elected Treasurer for the 25 th year .

Lodge of Joppa ( No . 223 ) . —The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , 1 st December , at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , under circumstances of an unusually painful nature . The W . M ., Bro . S . G . Bisch , presided at tho meeting in November with his accustomed ability , but about a fortnight afterwards was attacked with bronchitis , which consigned him to a sudden and untimely grave before the month had closed . The Lodge-room presented a peculiarly mournful aspect , the paraphernalia and fittings being all covered with black , and tho Brethren , who mustered to the number of nearly seventy , appearing in

Masonic mourning . While gazing on all this " solemn tracery of woe , " one could not help being forcibly reminded of the uncertainty of all things below . To-day , poised on the pinnacle of prosperity , to-morrow tottering on the uneven paths of adversity , ay , even sunk into the " cold obstruction " of death . To some amongst the visitors then assembled the circumstances in which they found themselves wore particularly affecting . They had come to partake of the hospitality of their friend and Brother , in ignorance of his death , they remained to pay the last sad

tribute of respect to departed merit , by sharing in tho performance of his funeral obsequies . " The Lodge " being covered with black , the W . Ms . and P . Ms , ranged themselves immediately around if , the other Brethren standing in tho background , who / i the Rev . Bro . De Solln , Chap ., read in a very feeling and impressive manner the beautiful Masonic service appointed for occasions such as this , tho Brethren joining in the responses , and giving evidence by their respectful and orderly demeanour of the deep interest they felt in the solemn scene . Of our late Brother